Heater assembly for use as incubator, culture tester and the like purposes

ABSTRACT

This heating assembly has an adjustable thermostat at top of a dome mounted on a base. A heating lamp is placed in the lower part of the dome. A protective plate is interposed between the thermostat and lamp. The holder for the lamp is nonadjustably fixed. A perforated shield plate is fixed between the base and dome and carries a strain relief plug through which wiring for lamp and thermostat pass. Also the bottom of the base has recesses to receive eggs to be hatched. When used for making cultures, a plate mounted in the base, has holes to receive vials containing cultures and a vial for water.

United States Patent Frederick A. Schwartz Dobbs Ferry, NJ. 830,004

June 3, 1969 June 15, 1971 lnsta Sales Corporation New York, NY.

Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee HEATER ASSEMBLY FOR USE AS I NCUBATOR, CULTURE TESTER AND THE LIKE PURPOSES 21 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

Primary ExaminerHugh R. Chamblee Attorney-1 B. Felshin ABSTRACT: This heating assembly has an adjustable thermostat at top of a dome mounted ona base. A heating lamp is placed in the lower part of the dome. A protective plate is interposed between the thermostat and lamp. The holder for the lamp is nonadjustably fixed. A perforated shield plate is fixed between the base and dome and carries a strain relief plug through which wiring for lamp and thermostat pass. Also the bottom of the base has recesses to receive eggs tobe hatched. When used for making cultures, a plate mounted in thebase, has holes to receive vials containing cultures and a vial for water.

Pmmmwmmn 3.58 1605 "Flats 93 Hy FREDERICK A. S CHWARTZ rip/A HEATER ASSEMBLY FOR USE AS INCUBATOR, CULTURE TESTER AND THE LIKE PURPOSES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to heater assemblies for maintaining substantially even temperatures of about 100 F. or less in an atmosphere of room temperature.

2. Description of the Prior Art An egg incubator heated by a lamp is known in Pat. No. 2,980,059.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a heater assembly of the character described provided with a thermostat in a housing adjustable from the outside, to control the temperature within the housing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a heater of the character described which may be used either as an egg incubator or as a tester for cultures or for other low grade heat purposes. 7

Yet another object of this invention is to provide'an assembly of the character described having a protective plate disposed between the thermostat and the lamp, and means to support the thermostat and plate in the top of the dome.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an assembly of the character described in which the lamp is nonadjustably fixed in the dome.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described having a perforated plate between the dome andbase and fixed to said dome and having strain relief means for wiring extending to the lamp and thermostat.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved assembly of the character described having a bottom wall formed with a plurality of depressions in which eggs may be placed, with said base having a hollow legs extending'down below said depressions.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide an assembly of the character described provided with a disc in the base having holes through which vials for cultures may be placed, and a hole to receive a vial tube containing water in which a material may be inserted that produces CO2 gas. Such a device may be used to provide means for making test cultures in said vials.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a strong and durable device of the character described which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble and manipulate and adjust, and which shall yet be safe and efficient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly, consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts' which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken in line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating a modified structure; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now in detail to the drawing and particularly to FIGS. l5 thereof, 10 designates a device embodying the invention.

Said device 10 comprises a base 11 on which is mounted a dome 12. The base may be made of molded transparent sheet plastic material.

The base 11 comprises a flat, horizontal bottom wall 14 formed with four radiating similar, symmetrically disposed depressions 15 in each of which, an egg to be hatched, may be placed. The depressions receive only the lower parts of the eggs. Extending upwardly from bottom wall 14 are upwardly divergent sidewall portions 18 connected by outwardly extending, upwardly inclined, hollow legs 19 which also extend down from said bottom wall to level below the level of the depressions 15. The base rests on the legs 19. Water may be placed in one or more of said legs 19.

At the upper ends of said legs 19 is an annular, horizontal flange 21 which extends outwardly beyond the legs. Extending upwardly from the outer periphery of flange 21 is a web 22 from the upper end of which a horizontal annular flange 23 extends outwardly. Flange .23 has a downward radial depression 24 forming a groove for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

The outer walls 19a of legs 19 are each formed with a vent opening 25.

The dome 12 is made of molded sheet plastic material but may be opaque. Said dome comprises a bottom annular horizontal flange 26 from which a hemispherical dome portion 27 projects upwardly. Flange 26 rests snugly on flange 21. Said dome portion 27 has a plurality of indentations 28 each forming a horizontal edge 29 raised somewhat above flange 26. Extending up from ledge 29 is a vertical wall 30-of curved transverse cross section. Ledges 29 are each formed with a center hole 29a.

Flange 26 is formed with a notch 31 registering with groove 24.

Said dome'shaped portion 27 is also formed, above flange 26, and between a pair of indentations 28, with an inward recess 36 forming a bottom upwardly and radially inwardly inclined wall 38. Wall 38 has a square upward recess 39 formed with a central hole 40. Extending up from the sides and inner ends of wall 38 are vertical walls 41.

Attached to the underside of dome 12 is a circular shield or protective plate 45 of clear stiff plastic material, contacting the undersides of ledges 29. The attachment is by means of bolts 46 passing through holes 290. Disc or plate 45 is formed with a plurality of holes or perforations 47 to allow air to pass freely from the dome to the base.

Said plate 45 is also formed with a larger hole 48 near an outer or peripheral edge 49 of the plate. A slit 50 connects hole 48 with edge 49.

Attached to the underside of wall 38 (FIG. 3) is a bracket 52 having a vertical arm 53 from which a flange 54 is bent back and inclined downwardly and is received in recess 39. Flange 54 is square and fits in square depression 39, and hence bracket 52 is not adjustable. Flange 54 has a central hole 55 registering with hole 40. A bolt 56 passes through registering holes 40, 56 to fix bracket 52 to the dome. Attached to arm 53 as by a grommet 57 is ahorizontal lamp socket 58 to which a lamp 59 is screwed. Lamp 59 provides heat for the purposes hereinafter appearing.

Mounted within the top of dome 12 is a thermostat unit 60. This may be an adjustable thermostat such as made by Therm- O-Disc, Inc. of Mansfield, Ohio, type A. It may be calibrated to open and close at 200 F.:5, to maintain F. in the base with lamp 59 being a 25 watt clear bulb lamp. This temperature can be maintained with use of a protective cover plate 61 between the thermostat 60 and lamp 59. The cover plate 61 will be described hereinafter. The thermostat unit 61 comprises a member of metal layers insulated from one another and forming a vertical hole to receive a bolt 62 passing through hole 34 in the dome. The unit 60 has an adjusting pin 63 passing up through hole 33. It has a pair of binding posts 64, 65. The details of the unit 60 are not being described because they are well known.

Two wires 67, 68 extend from socket 58. One wire 67 connects to binding post 65. The other wire 68 passes through hole 48, then through notch 31 and through groove 21 to an outlet plug (not shown). A third wire 70 connects to binding post 64 and then passes through hole 48 joining wire 67, and then passes out through notch 31 and groove 24 to the outlet plug.

A strain relief plug 71 in hole 48 holds the wires 67, 70 against being pulled loose. The strain relief plug may be like strain relief plug No. 4K1 made by Heyco Mfg. Co., of Kenilworth, N. J. This plug is made for SBT2 wire (cable). This strain relief plug is split longitudinally and can be snapped onto the wires. Any suitable strain relief bushing or plug may be used. This plug may be moved into opening 48 by spreading portions of the plate or disc 45 on opposite sides of split 50, one side up and the other side down to open the split. The plate 45 prevents touching the hot lamp 59. Plate 61 may be made of high impact thermal resistant plastic. The plate 61 has notches 61a in its periphery, all around. Wires 67, 68 pass through one of the notches 61a. Plate 61 contacts the underside of the thermostat unit 60. The bolt 62 passes through a hole 73 plate 61. Outer edges of the plate 61, between notches 61a, contact the inner surface of the dome. Air can pass through notches 61a.

The underside of the plate 61 may be coated at its underside with a metallic reflecting coating to reflect heat from the lamp downwardly, in which event, the thermostat may be calibrated to a lesser degree of heat, thereby reducing the temperature at the top of the dome.

A thermometer 75 may be placed in the base (FIG. 2). The thermometer is attached on a cord or strip 76 having outer ends received on a pair of adjacent legs 19. The thermometer can be seen and read from the outside. The cord 76 could be taped to the base if desired.

Fertile eggs E should be placed in the base to rest in depressions 15. These eggs will be hatched by means of heat from the lamp.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 there is shown a modified device 10a embodying the invention.

The base 11a may be same as base 11. The vent holes 25 are eliminated. Further the outer walls of the legs 19 are formed with inwardly extending pairs of dimples 80 all at same level to support a plate or disc 81 below the upper end of the base. Plate 81 has four similar symmetrically disposed, radially arranged holes 82 and a central hole 83. Vials 84 are inserted in holes 82 and their lower ends contact the bottom wall of the base. A vial 85 is inserted in the central hole 83 and rests on the bottom wall.

The plate 45 of FIGS. 15 may be retained or eliminated. If eliminated, then holes 29a in ledges 29 are not punched and can be eliminated. The strain relief plug can then also be eliminated. The bolts 46 can then also be eliminated.

The depressions can remain in the base 110. The holes 25 are punched after molding the base. To make base 111:, the holes are just not punched out.

The shield plate 45 can be incorporated into device 1011, in which case thebolts 46 are punched out and the strain relief plug 71 is used. In such case the holes 29a are punched out after molding the dome 12a.

The dimples 80 may be molded into the base 11 as well as base 110. In the device of FIGS. l-5, the dimples are not used.

A knob 90, may be fitted tightly onto pin 63.

The bottom wall of base 11a or base 11 may have a central depression 93 to permit nesting the dome therein in inverted position for packing and shipping.

The device 100 may be used to incubate cultures in medical or pharmaceutical field. The central hole receives a vial 85 open at the top and containing water. A tablet is inserted which when dissolved in water, gives off CO2 gas. This vial is two-thirds filled with water.

The cultures are placed in the vials 84 which are closed by screw caps 840. However the cap is given one turn in an opening direction after full closure.

Temperatures 97 F. to 102 F. in base are maintained for incubating eggs with a 25 watt bulb.

It will thus be understood that the base 11 and 11a may be made from the same mold.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an article in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, is'to be interpreted as illustrative only.

Iclaim:

l. A heater assembly comprising a transparent base having a bottom wall provided with depressions and an upstanding wall and being open at the top, a transparent dome shaped member open at its bottom end and being mounted on the base to form a housing therewith, a lamp, located wholly within said dome shaped member, means to mount said lamp on the dome shaped member, and a thermostat secured at the inside of the top of said member and above said lamp, and said thermostat having an adjusting element extending through said member for adjustment from the outside of said housing and a transverse plate supported within said housing and above said bottom wall and beneath said lamp.

2. The combination of claim 1, and a protective cover plate supported at the underside of the thermostat and above said lamp by said member.

3. The combination of claim 2, and a common means to attach said thermostat and cover plate to said dome shaped member.

4. The combination of claim 2, said dome-shaped member having peripheral notches, and outer edges between said notches substantially contacting said upstanding wall of the base.

5. The combination of claim 1, said transverse plate comprising a shield plate, and means to attach said shield plate to the bottom open end of said dome shaped member.

6. The combination of claim 5, said shield plate being perforated, a strain relief plug on said shield plate, wiring from said lamp and thermostat passing through said plug, said base having an outwardly extending flange at its upper end, said flange being formed with a radial groove, said wiring passing through said groove.

7. The combination of claim 1, said mount means comprising means to fixedly mount said lamp to said member in horizontal position.

8. The combination of claim 5, said attach means comprising a plurality of spaced indentations in said member, forming horizontal ledges, said shield plate contacting the undersides of said ledges, and means to removably fasten said shield plate to said ledges.

9. The combination of claim 5, said shield plate being formed with a plurality of openings for circulation of air through said openings.

10. The combination of claim 9, a strain relief plug on said shield plate, and wiring for said thermostat and lamp passing through said strain relief plug.

11. The combination of claim 1, said bottom wall of said base having a flat portion and a central depression in said flat portion, to permit the dome shaped member to be nested therein in inverted position, with the top of said member projecting down into said depression.

12. The combination of claim 1, said bottom wall being formed with a plurality of said depressions in spaced relation into which eggs to be hatched by heat from the lamp, may be placed.

13. The combination of claim 12, said base having hollow legs to receive water, and said legs projecting down below said depressions.

14. A heater assembly comprising a transparent base having a bottom wall provided with depressions and an upstanding wall and being open at the top, a transparent dome shaped member open at its bottom end and being mounted on the base to form a housing therewith, a lamp, means to mount said lamp in the dome shaped member, and a thermostat secured at the inside of the top of said member, and said thermostat having an adjusting element extending through said member for adjustment from the outside of said housing, a transverse plate comprising a horizontal plate mounted in said base, said horizontal plate, being formed with a plurality of openings and vials inserted through said openings and resting on said bottom wall.

15. The combination of claim 14, and means on said base to support said horizontal plate in horizontal position.

16. A heater assembly comprising a transparent base having a bottom wall provided with depressions and an upstanding wall and being open at the top, a transparent dome shaped member open'at its bottom end and being mounted on the base to form a housing therewith, a lamp, means to mount said lamp in the dome shaped member, and a thermostat secured at the inside of the top of said member having an adjusting element extending through said member for adjustment from the outside of said housing, a transverse plate comprising a shield plate, and mans to attach said shield plate to the bottom open end of said dome shaped member, said shield plate being perforated, a strain relief plug on said shield plate, wiring from said lamp and thermostat passing through said plug, said base having an outwardly extending flange at its upper end, said flange being formed with a radial groove, said wiring passing through said groove, said shield plate having an opening to receive said plug, and being formed with a slit connecting said opening with a peripheral edge of said shield plate to permit inserting said plug into said opening through said slit.

17. The combination of claim 16, said base having an annular shoulder disposed below said flange, said dome shaped member having an annular flange seated on said shoulder, said annular flange of said dome shaped member having a notch registering with said groove in said flange.

18. The combination of claim 4, and wiring for said thermostat passing through a notch in said cover plate.

19. The combination of claim 2, said plate having a metallic reflecting means on its underside.

20. The combination of claim 1, said bottom wall of said base having a flat portion and a central depression in said flat portion, to permit the dome shaped member to be nested therein in inverted position, with the top of said member projecting down into said depression, said bottom wall being formed with a plurality of depressions into which eggs to be hatched by heat from the lamp, may be placed.

21. The combination of claim 20, said base having hollow legs to receive water, and said legs projecting down below said depressions. 

1. A heater assembly comprising a transparent base having a bottom wall provided with depressions and an upstanding wall and being open at the top, a transparent dome shaped member open at its bottom end and being mounted on the base to form a housing therewith, a lamp, located wholly within said dome shaped member, means to mount said lamp on the dome shaped member, and a thermostat secured at the inside of the top of said member and above said lamp, and said thermostat having an adjusting element extending through said member for adjustment from the outside of said housing and a transverse plate supported within said housing and above said bottom wall and beneath said lamp.
 2. The combination of claim 1, and a protective cover plate supported at the underside of the thermostat and above said lamp by said member.
 3. The combination of claim 2, and a common means to attach said thermostat and cover plate to said dome shaped member.
 4. The combination of claim 2, said dome-shaped member having peripheral notches, and outer edges between said notches substantially contacting said upstanding wall of the base.
 5. The combination of claim 1, said transverse plate comprising a shield plate, and means to attach said shield plate to the bottom open end of said dome shaped member.
 6. The combination of claim 5, said shield plate being perforated, a strain relief plug on said shield plate, wiring from said lamp and thermostat passing through said plug, said base having an outwardly extending flange at its upper end, said flange being formed with a radial groove, said wiring passing through said groove.
 7. The combination of claim 1, said mount means comprising means to fixedly mount said lamp to said member in horizontal position.
 8. The combination of claim 5, said attach means comprising a plurality of spaced indentations in said member, forming horizontal ledges, said shield plate contacting the undersides of said ledges, and means to removably fasten said shield plate to said ledges.
 9. The combination of claim 5, said shield plate being formed with a plurality of openings for circulation of air through said openings.
 10. The combination of claim 9, a strain relief plug on said shield plate, and wiring for said thermostat and lamp passing through said strain relief plug.
 11. The combination of claim 1, said bottom wall of said base having a flat portion and a central depression in said flat portion, to permit the dome shaped member to be nested therein in inverted position, with the top of said member projecting down into said depression.
 12. The combination of claim 1, said bottom wall being formed with a plurality of said depressions in spaced relation into which eggs to be hatched by heat from the lamp, may be placed.
 13. The combination of claim 12, said base having hollow legs to receive water, and said legs projecting down below said depressions.
 14. A heater assembly comprising a transparent base having a bottom wall provided with depressions and an upstanding wall and being open at the top, a transparent dome shaped member open at its bottom end and being mounted on the base to form a housing therewith, a lamp, means to mount said lamp in the dome shaped member, and a thermostat secured at the inside of the top of said member, and said thermostat having an adjusting element extending through said member for adjustment from the outside of said housing, a transverse plate comprising a horizontal plate mounted in said base, said horizontal plate, being formed with a plurality of openings and vials inserted through said openings and resting on said bottom wall.
 15. The combination of claim 14, and means on said base to support said horizontal plate in horizontal position.
 16. A heater assembly comprising a transparent base having a bottom wall provided with depressions and an upstanding wall and being open at the top, a transparent dome shaped member open at its bottom end and being mounted on the base to form a housing therewith, a lamp, means to mount said lamp in the dome shaped member, and a thermostat secured at the inside of the top of said member having an adjusting element extending through said member for adjustment from the outside of said housing, a transverse plate comprising a shield plate, and mans to attach said shield plate to the bottom open end of said dome shaped member, said shield plate being perforated, a strain relief plug on said shield plate, wiring from said lamp and thermostat passing through said plug, said base having an outwardly extending flange at its upper end, said flange being formed with a radial groove, said wiring passing through said groove, said shield plate having an opening to receive said plug, and being formed with a slit connecting said opening with a peripheral edge of said shield plate to permit inserting said plug into said opening through said slit.
 17. The combination of claim 16, said base having an annular shoulder disposed below said flange, said dome shaped member having an annular flange seated on said shoulder, said annular flange of said dome shaped member having a notch registering with said groove in said flange.
 18. The combination of claim 4, and wiring for said thermostat passing through a notch in said cover plate.
 19. The combination of claim 2, said plate having a metallic reflecting means on its underside.
 20. The combination of claim 1, said bottom wall of said base having a flat portion and a central depression in said flat portion, to permit the dome shaped member to be nested therein in inverted position, with the top of said member projecting down into said depression, said bottom wall being formed with a plurality of depressions into which eggs to be hatched by heat from the lamp, may be placed.
 21. The combination of claim 20, said base having hollow legs to receive water, and said legs projecting down below said depressions. 